John A. Brown, 94, of 11300 Circle Drive in St.Marys, OH died 8:43 a.m. Wednesday January 6, 2010 at JTDM Hospital in St.Marys.

He was born August 26, 1915 in Akron, OH to Robert & Annie (Wright) Brown.

He married Elsie Palmer on November 21, 1940 in Akron.

Survivors include:

•  Widow, Elsie Brown of St.Marys, OH

• Son, Bob (Susan) Brown of Centerville, OH

• Daughter, Mary Ann Hollman of Winter Park, FL

• Daughter, Betty (Harold) Hussey of St.Marys, OH

• Son, John (Luanne) Brown of Lincoln, NE

• Son, Tom (Mary) Brown of West Columbia, SC

• Daughter, Peggy Jo Folk of St.Marys, OH

• 10 grandchildren

• 11 great-grandchildren

 He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert & Annie Brown; brother, Robert Brown; brother, Thomas Brown; sister, Helen Colson; step-sister, Gladys Copeland; step-sister, Dorothy Ulmer; son-in-law ,James H. Folk, Jr.

He was a1933 graduate of Springfield Twp. High School, Akron.

He retired from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in May of 1978 after 44 years of distinguished service with the Company. He began his career with Goodyear as a tire builder, and shortly thereafter was selected to join the Goodyear Flying Squadron (Goodyear Industrial University), the Company’s in-house management training program. Following his graduation, he was sent to Sweden to help start a new tire plant, and then he came to St.Marys in 1940 to help establish Goodyear’s first non-tire plant outside Akron. In St.Marys, he was promoted through several supervisory and management positions, and in 1954, he left St.Marys to become Plant Manager of the Goodyear Plant in Quebec City, Canada. He returned to St.Marys in 1958 and served as plant Manager of the St.Marys facility from 1960-1969. At the time of his retirement, he was serving as Corporate Director of Molded and Extruded Products for Goodyear.

John was a well-respected supervisor, manager and executive. He appreciated the efforts of the employees with whom he worked, generally knowing most of the on a first-name basis.

He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, Eagles Lodge Aerie #767, Mercer Lodge F& AM # 121, St.Marys Outing Club (Idlewild) and Northmoor Country Club, all in St.Marys. In addition, he served on the board of directors for the Home Banking Co. in St.Marys for many years.

He took an active role in church activities, and was instrumental in building its educational unit. He also liked golfing, fishing, boating and playing cards with his buddies at the Eagles Lodge. John and Elsie enjoyed many years of their retirement in Lady Lake and Leesburg, FL.

Rites are scheduled 12:00 noon Saturday at Zion Lutheran Church 210 N. Wayne Street in St.Marys. Private family burial will be at the Elm Grove Cemetery, in St.Marys.

Visitation after 10:00 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be directed to: Zion Lutheran Church portico fund, JTDM Hospital Foundation or Otterbein Retirement Community benevolence fund.